New York Yankees: Jesus Montero for Michael Pineda; Better Moves Were Available

The New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners have agreed upon a blockbuster trade that will swap phenom catching prospect Jesus Montero for pitcher Michael Pineda. We got a look at each player in 2011 as both played in the major leagues.

Jesus Montero was once discussed to be in a deal that would bring Cliff Lee to the Yankees. In that deal, the Yankees would have been getting a sure thing because Lee was a proven veteran. Pineda is far from a sure thing but he is a promising, young pitcher with a boatload of potential.

The Yankees are taking a risk trading their top prospect for another prospect. Could they have been better off making a different move?

Combine Him with Other Top Prospects for Felix Hernandez or Tim Lincecum

These two guys are honorable mentions because their teams may have refused to deal them.

Hernandez and Lincecum are two of the best pitchers in the game, so the Yankees would have had to give up more than just Montero if they wanted to get these two. The Yankees have two highly-touted pitching prospects, Manny Benuelos and Dellin Bentances.

They would have had to give up one or both of these guys along with Montero to acquire either of these two top pitchers, but the return would have been worth it.

Prospects are always a risk and Tim Lincecum and "King" Felix are not.

Matt Cain

Matt Cain is going to be a free agent in 2013. He has proven that he is a top-of-the-line starter and will require a big contract. The Giants most likely will not be able to sign him to that contract and pay for Lincecum.

Therefore, the Giants should be looking to trade Cain, so that they don't lose him in free agency. The Giants would be getting back Montero who will help them have a solid offensive player for several years.

With Buster Posey as their catcher, Montero would have to play first base, where he might be better off. The Giants have an aging Aubrey Huff at first base and Montero would solidify the position for the Giants' future.

Matt Cain has been 39-30 in his last three seasons with an ERA of 2.97. He has also thrown for at least 200 innings in each of the last five seasons.

Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels will also be a free agent in 2013. He still has not reached an extension with the Phillies and the next option could be to be traded.

There was some speculation that the Yankees had interest in Hamels. Although Hamels may not be as good as Pineda's potential, he is a safe option.

In six seasons, Cole has a record of 74-54 with an ERA of 3.39. He also has a lot of playoff experience. He has pitched in the postseason in the last five seasons and is 7-4 with a 3.09 ERA in the playoffs.

Dan Haren

The Angels have Dan Haren locked up through next season and have a 15.5 million-dollar extension for 2013. That is an expensive option to go along with the two big free-agent signings that the Angels made this offseason (Albert Pujols and C.J Wilson).

Haren may become available and the Yankees could have caught the Angels when they were desperate to get rid of him. They could have just dealt Montero for Haren.

Although Dan Haren is 32, he still is a solid front-end starter who could help the Yankees win now.

In the last five seasons, his ERA has never been above 4.00. Last season, he went 16-10 with a 3.17 ERA.

Zack Greinke

Zack Greinke was available last season and the Yankees failed to make a move. Possibly because the Royals were asking for too much or they thought Greinke couldn't handle New York.

The Brewers are probably going to be losing Prince Fielder to free agency, so they could use a hitter like Montero. Greinke is going to be one of the top free agents in the 2012-13 offseason. 

The Yankees would have gotten a proven pitcher who is more proven than Michael Pineda.

Keep Montero, Sign Free Agent

The Yankees were missing timely hitting in last year's playoff loss to the Tigers.

With Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez in their late 30s, Montero represented the future for the Yankees lineup and ensured that they were going to be solid offensively in the future.

This offseason's free-agency class was not filled with top starting pitching options.

The Yankees still could have held onto Montero and signed a starter like C.J. Wilson or Mark Buehrle this offseason.

Follow me on Twitter!